Recording apparatus

ABSTRACT

A printer includes a lower tray and an upper tray disposed above the lower tray. An optical sensor which detects the presence or absence of a sheet is disposed above the upper tray. The upper tray is disposed to be slidable. A sliding operation of the upper tray enables modes to be switched over between a mode where the optical sensor opposes the upper tray and a mode where the optical sensor opposes the lower tray. One sensor can detect the presence or absence of the sheet in multiple trays.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus includingmultiple trays, which accommodates a medium.

2. Related Art

As disclosed in JP-A-2007-91445, a sheet feeding tray (cassette) whichis attachable to and detachable from an apparatus body has been widelyused in the related art. In addition, a configuration has also beenknown which includes vertically arranged multiple sheet feeding trays(cassettes) and can feed a sheet from the respective sheet feeding trays(cassettes).

JP-A-2007-91445 discloses a double-structure cassette including lowerand upper sheet accommodation units. An upper cassette is rotatable andslidable with respect to a lower cassette. Then, when the sheet is fedfrom the lower cassette, the lower cassette is used after sliding theupper cassette so that the upper cassette does not interfere with thelower cassette. This enables a sheet feeding roller to come into contactwith the sheet accommodated in the lower cassette.

On the other hand, in a sheet feeding device disclosed inJP-A-2006-282311, in some cases, a sensor is disposed so as to detectthe presence or absence of the sheet or to detect the presence orabsence of a sheet feeding cassette itself. However, when separatesensors respectively detect the presence or absence of the sheet andmounting of the sheet feeding cassette, the cost is increased. In viewof the increasing cost, the sheet feeding device disclosed inJP-A-2006-282311 has a configuration where one sensor detects themounting of the sheet feeding cassette and the presence or absence ofthe sheet.

However, in the related art, when multiple sheet feeding trays aredisposed, at least one sensor which detects the presence or absence ofthe sheet has to be arranged for each sheet feeding tray. This is onecost increasing factor.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide aconfiguration where a sheet feeding device or a recording apparatuswhich includes multiple sheet trays detects the presence or absence of asheet in each sheet tray while suppressing cost increasing.

In the recording apparatus, a sheet accommodation unit whichaccommodates the sheet is called various terms such as a “cassette” anda “tray”. However, in the description herein, the term of the “tray”will be used.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a recordingapparatus including: a recording unit that performs recording on amedium; multiple medium accommodation units that accommodate the medium;and a medium detection unit that detects the presence or absence of themedium inside the medium accommodation units. Out of the multiple mediumaccommodation units, the recording apparatus detects the presence orabsence of the medium inside the medium accommodation unit whichperforms recording.

In this case, one medium detection unit can detect the presence orabsence of the medium in multiple medium accommodation trays. In thismanner, it is not necessary to dispose the medium detection unit foreach of the multiple medium accommodation trays, and thus costincreasing can be suppressed.

The description, “one medium detection unit”, does not mean that onlyone medium detection unit is disposed in the recording apparatus, butmeans that one medium detection unit is used for the multiple mediumaccommodation trays.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided arecording apparatus including: a recording unit that performs recordingon a medium; multiple medium accommodation units that accommodate themedium; and a medium detection unit that detects the presence or absenceof the medium inside the medium accommodation units. Out of the multiplemedium accommodation units, the recording apparatus detects the presenceor absence of the medium inside the medium accommodation unit which doesnot feed the medium.

In this case, out of the multiple medium accommodation units, therecording apparatus detects the presence or absence of the medium insidethe medium accommodation unit which does not feed the medium. Therefore,it is possible to correspond to various needs of a user by notifying theuser of conditions of the medium inside the medium accommodation unit.

According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided arecording apparatus including: a recording unit that performs recordingon a medium; multiple medium accommodation units that accommodate themedium; and a medium detection unit that detects the presence or absenceof the medium inside the medium accommodation units. Out of the multiplemedium accommodation units, at least two medium accommodation unitsshare the medium detection unit.

In this case, one medium detection unit can detect the presence orabsence of the medium in the multiple medium accommodation trays. Inthis manner, it is not necessary to dispose the medium detection unitfor each of the multiple medium accommodation trays, and thus costincreasing can be suppressed.

The description, “one medium detection unit”, does not mean that onlyone medium detection unit is disposed in the recording apparatus, butmeans that one medium detection unit is used for the multiple mediumaccommodation trays.

In the recording apparatus, the medium detection unit may be disposed ina region where the multiple medium accommodation units are overlappedwith one another.

In this case, the medium detection unit is disposed in the region wherethe multiple medium accommodation units are overlapped with one another.Therefore, it is possible to easily understand conditions of the mediuminside the multiple medium accommodation units. The description that themedium detection unit is disposed in the region where the multiplemedium accommodation units are overlapped with one another means thatthe medium detection unit is disposed in a region where the mediumdetection unit can oppose all of the multiple medium accommodationunits.

In the recording apparatus, the multiple medium accommodation units maybe configured to include at least a lower medium accommodation unit andan upper medium accommodation unit which is positioned above the lowermedium accommodation unit, and the upper medium accommodation unit mayperform a sliding operation with respect to the lower mediumaccommodation unit. The medium detection unit may be arranged above thelower medium accommodation unit and the upper medium accommodation unit.The sliding operation of the upper medium accommodation unit may switchthe medium accommodation units one to another which opposes the mediumdetection unit.

In this case, in the configuration including the lower mediumaccommodation unit and the upper medium accommodation unit, the slidingoperation of the upper medium accommodation unit switches the mediumaccommodation units one to another which opposes the medium detectionunit. Therefore, it is possible to easily adopt a configuration forselecting one medium accommodation unit which opposes the mediumdetection unit out of the multiple medium accommodation units.

In the recording apparatus, the medium detection unit may be disposed ina feeding member which can swing above the multiple medium accommodationunits.

In this case, the medium detection unit is disposed in the feedingmember which can swing above the multiple medium accommodation units.Therefore, it is possible to adjust a position of the medium detectionunit corresponding to the number of media accommodated in the mediumaccommodation unit, and thus it is possible to more properly detect thepresence or absence of the medium.

In the recording apparatus, the medium detection unit may be configuredto have an optical sensor that includes a light emitting unit and alight receiving unit which oppose the medium accommodated in the mediumaccommodation unit. An angle α1 formed between an optical axis of lightemitted from the light emitting unit and the medium when the lightemitting unit opposes the medium accommodated in the lower mediumaccommodation unit may be closer to a right angle than an angle α2formed between the optical axis and the medium when the light emittingunit opposes the medium accommodated in the upper medium accommodationunit.

In this case, the medium detection unit is configured to have theoptical sensor. Accordingly, as the optical axis thereof is closer tothe right angle with respect to the medium (including the right angle),light receiving intensity in the light receiving unit becomes stronger.Therefore, it is possible to properly detect the presence or absence ofthe medium. In addition, as a distance between the medium detection unitand the medium is closer, the light receiving intensity in the lightreceiving unit becomes stronger. Therefore, it is possible to properlydetect the presence or absence of the medium.

Incidentally, the angle formed between the swing member and the mediumis further increased in a case where the feeding roller comes intocontact with the medium accommodated in the lower medium accommodationunit, as compared to a case where the feeding roller comes into contactwith the medium accommodated in the upper medium accommodation unit.Therefore, insofar as the medium detection unit is disposed in a placeapart from a swing center of the swing member, the distance between thelight emitting unit and the medium becomes longer in the case where thefeeding roller comes into contact with the medium accommodated in thelower medium accommodation unit, as compared to the case where thefeeding roller comes into contact with the medium accommodated in theupper medium accommodation unit.

That is, when the medium detection unit is arranged in the swing member,a detection distance becomes longer in a case where the medium detectionunit opposes the lower medium accommodation unit, as compared to a casethe medium detection unit opposes the upper medium accommodation unit.Accordingly, from a viewpoint of detecting the presence or absence ofthe medium, the lengthened detection distance is disadvantageous.

Therefore, the embodiment is configured so that the angle α1 formedbetween the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emittingunit and the medium (hereinafter, referred to as a detection angle) whenthe light emitting unit opposes the medium accommodated in the lowermedium accommodation unit is closer to the right angle than the angle α2formed between the optical axis and the medium when the light emittingunit opposes the medium accommodated in the upper medium accommodationunit. That is, a disadvantageous point is corrected to an advantageouspoint by causing the disadvantageous point from a viewpoint of thedetection distance (case of the lower medium accommodation unit) to bethe advantageous point in viewpoint of the detection angle, and bycausing the advantageous point from a viewpoint of the detectiondistance (case of the upper medium accommodation unit) to be thedisadvantageous point in viewpoint of the detection angle. In thismanner, regardless of the angle of the swing member, it is possible toproperly detect the presence or absence of the medium in both of theupper medium accommodation unit and the lower medium accommodation unit.

In the recording apparatus, a guide member may be provided which forms amedium transport route for transporting the medium. The medium detectionunit may be disposed in the guide member.

In this case, the medium detection unit is disposed in the guide memberwhich forms the medium transport route for transporting the medium.Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a dedicated member fordisposing the medium detection unit, and thus cost increasing can besuppressed.

In the recording apparatus, a partition member which partitions aninternal space of the recording apparatus may be disposed above anaccommodation region for the multiple medium accommodation units. Themedium detection unit may be disposed in the partition member.

In this case, the medium detection unit is disposed in the partitionmember which partitions the internal space of the recording apparatus.Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a dedicated member fordisposing the medium detection unit, and thus cost increasing can besuppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to anaspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet transportroute of the printer according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet transportroute of the printer according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roller support member assembly.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a feeding device which illustrates a state offeeding a sheet from an upper tray, and FIG. 5B is a side view of thefeeding device which illustrates a state of feeding the sheet from alower tray, respectively (illustration of the problem).

FIG. 6A is a side view of a feeding device which illustrates a state offeeding a sheet from an upper tray, and FIG. 6B is a side view of thefeeding device which illustrates a state of feeding the sheet from alower tray, respectively (first embodiment).

FIG. 7A is a side view of a feeding device which illustrates a state offeeding a sheet from an upper tray, and FIG. 7B is a side view of thefeeding device which illustrates a state of feeding the sheet from alower tray, respectively (second embodiment).

FIG. 8A is a side view of a feeding device which illustrates a state offeeding a sheet from an upper tray, and FIG. 8B is a side view of thefeeding device which illustrates a state of feeding the sheet from alower tray, respectively (third embodiment).

FIG. 9A is a side view of a feeding device which illustrates a state offeeding a sheet from an upper tray, and FIG. 9B is a side view of thefeeding device which illustrates a state of feeding the sheet from alower tray, respectively (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 10A is a side view of a feeding device which illustrates a state offeeding a sheet from an upper tray, and FIG. 10B is a side view of thefeeding device which illustrates a state of feeding the sheet from alower tray, respectively (fifth embodiment).

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a roller support memberassembly and vicinity of an attachment portion thereof (first example).

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the roller support member assembly(first example).

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the roller support member assembly, acircuit board and an FFC (first example).

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of an apparatus in astate where an upper tray and a lower tray are detached from theapparatus (first example).

FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a state where a partition plate and the rollersupport member assembly are detached from the apparatus in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of a roller support memberassembly and vicinity of an attachment portion thereof (second example).

FIG. 18 is a perspective view from above, in which some configurationsof a printer are appropriately detached from the printer (secondexample).

FIG. 19 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 18 (second example).

FIG. 20 is a block diagram partially illustrating a control system ofthe printer according to the invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an example of disposing anoptical sensor in a partition plate.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an example of disposing anoptical sensor in a guide member.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described withreference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited toembodiments to be described below. The invention can be modified invarious ways within the scope of the invention. Assuming that themodifications are included in the scope of the invention disclosedherein, an embodiment of the invention will be described herein.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer 1 according to theinvention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are side cross-sectional views illustrating asheet transport route of the printer 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa roller support member assembly (hereinafter, referred to as an “assy”)10. FIGS. 5A to 10A are side cross-sectional views illustrating a statewhere a sheet is fed from an upper tray 45, and FIGS. 5B to 10B are sidecross-sectional views illustrating a state where a sheet is fed from alower tray 40. Among the drawings, FIGS. 5A and 5B are views forillustrating the problem of the invention, and FIGS. 6A to 11respectively illustrate first to sixth embodiments. Furthermore, FIG. 20is a block diagram partially illustrating a control system of theprinter 1. FIGS. 12 to 19 and FIGS. 21 and 22 will be described later.

In each drawing, an x-y-z coordinate system represents a direction. Az-direction represents a vertical direction (height direction of anapparatus), a y-direction represents a sheet transport and dischargedirection (forward and rearward direction of the apparatus), and anx-direction represents a sheet width direction (rightward and leftwarddirection of the apparatus).

1. Entire Configuration of Printer

Hereinafter, an entire configuration of the printer 1 according to anembodiment of the recording apparatus of the invention will beschematically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The printer 1includes a scanner unit 3 on an upper portion of an apparatus body(recording unit) 2 which performs ink jet recording on a recording sheetserving as an example of a medium. That is, the printer 1 is configuredto serve as a multifunction machine including a scanner function inaddition to an ink jet recording function.

The scanner unit 3 is disposed so as to be rotatable with respect to theapparatus body 2. The rotation enables the scanner unit 3 to be in aclosed state (refer to FIG. 1) and in an opened state (not illustrated).

An upper cover 4 in the scanner unit 3 is openable and closeable. Whenthe cover 4 is opened, a manuscript table 3 a (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3)of the scanner unit 3 is shown.

A reference numeral 5 on a front surface of the apparatus is anoperation panel including a power button, operation buttons forperforming various printing settings and recording operations, and adisplay unit for a preview display of printing settings and printingimages.

In addition, a reference numeral 44 on the front surface of theapparatus is an openable and closeable cover disposed in a lower tray40. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the cover 44 is opened, the lowertray 40, an upper tray 45, and a discharge sheet receiving tray 8 whichserve as a medium accommodation tray are exposed in this configuration.

The discharge sheet receiving tray 8 is disposed so that a motor (notillustrated) can switch between a state of being accommodated in theapparatus body 2 (refer to FIG. 1) and a state of being protrudedforward from the apparatus body 2 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3). Thedischarge sheet receiving tray 8, when in the state of being protrudedforward from the apparatus body 2, can receive a recording sheet whichis recorded and discharged.

The lower tray 40 and the upper tray 45, all of which can accommodatemultiple recording sheets are medium accommodation units thataccommodate a medium. That is, the medium accommodation unit of theprinter 1 is configured to have multiple medium accommodation trays. Thelower tray 40 and the upper tray 45 disposed above the lower tray 40 arerespectively and independently attachable to and detachable from theapparatus body 2. In addition, even when one side is not attached, ifthe other side is attached, the recording sheet can be fed from theattached tray. A reference numeral 37A in FIG. 14 is a guide rail whichguides and supports the lower tray 40 in an attaching/detachingdirection. A reference numeral 37B is a guide rail which guides andsupports the upper tray 45 in the attaching/detaching direction.

The upper tray 45 is disposed so as to be slidingly displaced by a traydrive unit 55 (refer to FIG. 20), between a retreat position (refer toFIG. 3) and an abutting position (refer to FIG. 2) in a state of beingattached to the apparatus body 2. For example, if a printing job iscarried out to feed the sheet from the upper tray 45, a control unit 52(refer to FIG. 20) of the printer 1 causes the upper tray 45 to bepositioned at the abutting position illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition,if a printing job is carried out to feed the sheet from the lower tray40, the control unit 52 of the printer 1 causes the upper tray 45 to bepositioned at the retreat position illustrated in FIG. 3. The tray driveunit 55 is a drive mechanism including a motor, but a structure thereofis omitted in the illustration.

The printer 1 has a tray position detection sensor 56 (refer to FIG. 20)which detects a slide position of the upper tray 45. Based on signalinformation transmitted from the tray position detection sensor 56, thecontrol unit 52 can understand whether the upper tray 45 is either in aposition where the feeding is available or in the retreat position.However, in the embodiment, the upper tray 45 is driven by a motor.Accordingly, based on a motor drive direction, it is also possible tounderstand where the abutting position of the upper tray 45 ispositioned (either in the position where the feeding is available or inthe retreat position) according to the increase in the motor currentvalue.

Next, a reference numeral 6 at a rear upper portion of the apparatusbody 2 is a manual feeding cover which is openable and closeable. Whenthe manual feeding cover 6 is opened, the recording sheet can bemanually fed by using a manual feeding tray 7 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3).

Next, a sheet transport route of the printer 1 will be described withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The printer 1 according to the embodimentincludes the above-described lower tray 40 and upper tray 45 in a bottomportion of the apparatus. The recording sheet is fed one by one from thelower tray 40 or the upper tray 45. As described above, the upper tray45 is slid (displaced) between the abutting position, that is, theposition where the feeding is available (refer to FIG. 2), and theretreat position (refer to FIG. 3).

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet accommodated in the lower tray 40 isillustrated by a reference numeral P1 and the sheet accommodated in theupper tray 45 is illustrated by a reference numeral P2, respectively(hereinafter, referred to as a “sheet P” when it is not necessary toparticularly distinguish the sheets from each other).

A feeding roller (also referred to as a pickup roller) 9 configuring afeeding unit, which is rotationally driven by a drive motor 53, isdisposed in a roller support member 11 serving as a swing member whichswings around a pivot shaft 12 or a feeding member. When the upper tray45 is in the retreat position (refer to FIG. 3), the feeding roller 9 isrotated by coming into contact with the uppermost sheet P1 accommodatedin the lower tray 40. In this manner, the uppermost sheet P1 is fed fromthe lower tray 40.

In addition, when the upper tray 45 is in the abutting position(position where the feeding is available: refer to FIG. 2), the feedingroller 9 is rotated by coming into contact with the uppermost sheet P2accommodated in the upper tray 45. In this manner, the uppermost sheetP2 is fed from the upper tray 45.

In the embodiment, the pivot shaft 12 configures a swing shaft of theroller support member 11, and is rotated by receiving power of the drivemotor 53 (refer to FIG. 20). In this manner, as illustrated in FIG. 4,the pivot shaft 12 transmits the power from a transmitting gear 13disposed in the pivot shaft 12 via a gear train 14 to a transmitted gear15 disposed integrally with the feeding roller 9. That is, the pivotshaft 12 transmits the power for rotating the feeding roller 9, and alsotransmits the power for swinging the roller support member 11.

In the embodiment, the feeding rollers 9 are respectively disposed inboth sides by interposing the transmitted gear 15 therebetween. Theroller support member 11, the gear train 14, the transmitted gear 15,the feeding rollers 9 and an optical sensor 16 (to be described later)are assembled to configure a roller support member assy 10.

The optical sensor 16 (refer to FIG. 4) serving as a medium detectionunit which detects the presence or absence of the sheet P in each trayof the lower tray 40 and the upper tray 45 is disposed in the rollersupport member 11. The optical sensor 16 is configured to include alight emitting unit 16 a and a light receiving unit 16 b (refer to FIG.20). The light emitting unit 16 a emits detection light t to the sheet Paccommodated in each tray, and out of the emitting light, the lightreceiving unit 16 b receives a component u reflected from the sheet P ofeach tray or a bottom surface of each tray.

The control unit 52 of the printer 1 can detect the presence or absenceof the sheet P in each tray by receiving a signal indicating lightreceiving intensity in the light receiving unit 16 b from the opticalsensor 16. For this reason, a portion opposing the optical sensor 16 ina bottom surface (bottom surfaces 40 a and 45 a) of each tray isblack-colored, for example, so as to have reflectivity which issignificantly different from that of the sheet P.

The invention is characterized by the arrangement of the optical sensor16 for reliably detecting the presence or absence of the sheet P in eachtray. This point will be described in detail later.

Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical sensor 16 is disposedin a region where the lower tray 40 and the upper tray 45 are overlappedwith each other, that is, in a region the lower tray 40 and the uppertray 45 are vertically overlapped with each other. Then, by using asliding operation of the upper tray 45, the optical sensor 16 can selectthe opposing tray between the lower tray 40 and the upper tray 45.Accordingly, it is not necessary to dispose a detection unit for each ofthe lower tray 40 and the upper tray 45. Therefore, by using one opticalsensor 16, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the sheetP in multiple trays, that is, in the lower tray 40 and the upper tray45, and thus it is possible to avoid the cost increasing.

The invention is not intended to exclude a case of disposing detectionunits other than the optical sensor 16. Furthermore, even when thedetection units are disposed, insofar as at least one optical sensor 16can detect the presence or absence of the sheet P in multiple trays, thecase is within the applicable scope of the invention.

In addition, in the embodiment, the optical sensor 16 is swingable in anupper side of the lower tray 40 and the upper tray 45, and is disposedin the roller support member 11 serving as the swing member whichsupports the feeding roller 9. Accordingly, a height position of theoptical sensor 16 varies depending on the number of sheets accommodatedin each tray, that is, a distance between the optical sensor 16 and thesheet P is adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to more properly detectthe presence or absence of the sheet P.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a separation slope 23 is disposedat a position opposing a front end of the lower tray 40 and the uppertray 45 in the apparatus body 2. In a state where the lower tray 40 isattached, a stopper 41 disposed in the front end of the lower tray 40enters the rear side (left side in FIG. 3) deeper than the separationslope 23, and a leading edge of the sheet P accommodated in the lowertray 40 can be in contact with the separation slope 23.

In the upper tray 45, in a state where the upper tray 45 is positionedat the position where the feeding is available, a stopper 46 disposed inthe front end of the upper tray 45 enters the rear side deeper than theseparation slope 23, and a leading edge of the sheet P accommodated inthe upper tray 45 can be in contact with the separation slope 23.

Then, the sheet P fed from the lower tray 40 or the upper tray 45advances toward a downstream side while the leading edge of the sheet Pis in contact with the separation slope 23. In this manner, theuppermost sheet P to be fed and the sheets P to be subsequently fed areseparated from each other.

A sheet detection sensor 38 is disposed at the position of theseparation slope 23 in the sheet feeding route. This position enablesthe detection of the leading edge of the sheet P fed from the lower tray40 and the upper tray 45. Accordingly, regardless of a difference in alength of the feeding route which is caused by different trays, or adifference in the length of the feeding route which is caused by thedifferent number of accommodated sheets, that is, regardless of thedifferent length of the feeding route depending on conditions, it ispossible to understand the position of the leading edge of the sheet P.This enables more proper feeding control.

An intermediate roller 24 which is rotationally driven by a motor (notillustrated) is disposed in a tip of the separation slope 23. The sheetP is bent and reversed to move toward a front side of the apparatus bythe intermediate roller 24. Reference numerals 25A, 25B and 25C aredriven rollers which can be rotationally driven. The sheet P is nippedby at least the driven roller 25A and the intermediate roller 24, or isnipped by the driven roller 25B and the intermediate roller 24, therebybeing sent to the downstream side.

A transport driving roller 26 which is rotationally driven by a motor(not illustrated) and a transport driven roller 27 which is rotationallydriven by coming into contact with the transport driving roller 26 aredisposed in a tip of the intermediate roller 24. These rollers cause thesheet P to be sent to a position below a recording head 30 configuring arecording unit.

The recording head 30 which ejects an ink is disposed in a bottomportion of a carriage 29. The carriage 29 is driven so as to reciprocatein a main scanning direction (forward and rearward direction of thepaper surface in FIGS. 2 and 3) by a motor (not illustrated).

A support member 28 is disposed in a position opposing the recordinghead 30. The support member 28 defines a distance between the sheet Pand the recording head 30. Then, a discharge driving roller 31 which isrotationally driven by a motor (not illustrated) and a discharge drivenroller 32 which is rotationally driven by coming into contact with thedischarge driving roller 31 are disposed in the downstream side of thesupport member 28. These rollers cause the sheet P which is recorded bythe recording head 30 to be discharged toward the above-describeddischarge sheet receiving tray 8.

The above-described transport driving roller 26, carriage 29, recordinghead 30, discharge driving roller 31 and control targets thereofconfigure a recording mechanism 54 illustrated in FIG. 20, which iscontrolled by the control unit 52.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, a guide member illustrated by a reference numeral 33is disposed below the intermediate roller 24. This guide member 33 formsthe sheet transport route between the intermediate roller 24 and thetransport driving roller 26. In addition, a reference numeral 34represents a guide member which forms the sheet transport route betweenthe guide member 33 and the transport driving roller 26. A referencenumeral 25D represents a driven roller in which the sheet P switchedback from the transport driving roller 26 to an upstream side (left sidein FIGS. 2 and 3) is nipped between the intermediate roller 24 and thedriven roller for two-sided printing.

2. First Embodiment of Roller Support Member Assay

Next, a first embodiment of the roller support member assy for reliablydetecting the presence or absence of the sheet P in each tray will bedescribed. First, a technical task associated with a case where theoptical sensor 16 is disposed in the roller support member 11 whichsupports the feeding roller 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.5A and 5B.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, a straight line illustrated by a reference numeralL0 represents an optical axis of the optical sensor 16, and a straightline illustrated by a reference numeral L1 represents a line connectinga swing center of the roller support member 11 and a rotation center ofthe feeding roller 9, respectively. In addition, a reference numeral α1represents an angle formed between the optical axis L0 and the traybottom surface 40 a or the sheet P in a case of the lower tray 40(hereinafter, referred to as a “detection angle α1”), and a referencenumeral α2 represents an angle formed between the optical axis L0 andthe tray bottom surface 45 a or the sheet P in a case of the upper tray45 (hereinafter, referred to as a “detection angle α2”), respectively.

In addition, a reference numeral β1 represents an angle formed betweenthe line L1 and the tray bottom surface 40 a or the sheet P in a case offeeding the sheet P from the lower tray 40, and a reference numeral β2represents an angle formed between the line L1 and the tray bottomsurface 45 a or the sheet P in a case of feeding the sheet P from theupper tray 45, respectively. In the description, the angle β1 representsthe angle formed between the roller support member 11 and the traybottom surface 40 a or the sheet P, and the angle β2 represents theangle formed between the roller support member 11 and the tray bottomsurface 45 a or the sheet P.

Furthermore, a reference number D1 represents a distance between theoptical sensor 16 and the sheet P in a case of the lower tray 40(hereinafter, referred to as a “detection distance D1”), and a referencenumber D2 represents a distance between the optical sensor 16 and thesheet P in a case of the upper tray 45 (hereinafter, referred to as a“detection distance D2”).

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, a reference numeral 100 is given to the rollersupport member assy so as to be distinguished from the roller supportmember assy according to the invention. The optical sensor 16 in theroller support member assy 100 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B isarranged in substantially parallel with the roller support member 11,that is, is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the opticalaxis L0 and the line L1. When the optical sensor 16 is disposed in theroller support member 11, the optical sensor 16 is generally disposed inthis way.

Here, the detection angle α1, the angle β1 and the detection distance D1occupy a predetermined range between a state where the maximum number ofsheets is accommodated in the lower tray 40 and a case of running-out ofthe sheet. Similarly, the detection angle α2, the angle β2 and thedetection distance D2 occupy a predetermined range between a state wherethe maximum number of sheets is accommodated in the upper tray 45 and acase of running-out of the sheet.

However, as is apparent from the comparison between FIGS. 5A and 5B, theangle β2 in a case of feeding the sheet P from the upper tray 45 islarger than the angle β1 in a case of feeding the sheet P from the lowertray 40. For this reason, regardless of the number of sheetsaccommodated in each tray, the result is β1>β2. Then, regardless of thenumber of sheets accommodated in each tray, the result is detectiondistance D1>detection distance D2.

In a case of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the angle α2 is closer to the right anglethan the angle α1. That is, the angle formed between the optical axis L0and the sheet P in a case of feeding the sheet P from the upper tray 45is closer to the right angle than the angle formed between the opticalaxis L0 and the sheet P in a case of feeding the sheet P from the lowertray 40. Therefore, from a viewpoint of the detection angle, the case ofthe upper tray 45 is more advantageous than the case of the lower tray40.

In contrast, the detection distance D2 is shorter than the detectiondistance D1. Accordingly, from a viewpoint of either the detection angleor the detection distance, the case of the upper tray 45 is moreadvantageous than the case of the lower tray 40. That is, in otherwords, as compared to the case of the upper tray 45, the light receivingintensity in the optical sensor 16 is weaker in the case of the lowertray 40. Therefore, the case of the lower tray 40 is disadvantageousfrom viewpoint of detecting the presence or absence of the sheet P.

Each embodiment of the invention which is to be described below is tosolve this problem, and is configured to avoid that either the lowertray 40 or the upper tray 45 is significantly disadvantageous from theviewpoint of the detection angle and the detection distance.

Therefore, in the first embodiment (roller support member assy 10A)illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an attachment angle of the opticalsensor 16 is set so that the detection angle α1 when the optical sensor16 opposes the sheet P accommodated in the lower tray 40 (refer to FIG.6B) is closer to the right angle than the detection angle α2 when theoptical sensor 16 opposes the sheet P accommodated in the upper tray 45(refer to FIG. 6A).

That is, the disadvantageous point is corrected to the advantageouspoint by causing the disadvantageous point from a viewpoint of thedetection distance (case of the lower tray 40: D1>D2) to be theadvantageous point in viewpoint of the detection angle (α1 is closer tothe right angle than α2), and by causing the advantageous point from aviewpoint of the detection distance (case of the upper tray 45: D2<D1)to be the disadvantageous point in viewpoint of the detection angle (α2is farther from the right angle than α1). In this manner, regardless ofthe angle of the roller support member 11, it is possible to performproper detection (detect the presence or absence of the sheet) in bothof the upper tray 45 and the lower tray 40.

3. Second Embodiment of Roller Support Member Assy

Next, a second embodiment of the roller support member assy will bedescribed. In the second embodiment (roller support member assy 10B)illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the optical sensor 16 is disposed in theroller support member 11 so as to have the same angle as that of thecase illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. That is, the detection angle α2when the optical sensor 16 opposes the upper tray 45 is closer to theright angle than the angle α1 when the optical sensor 16 opposes thelower tray 40. Accordingly, in both of the detection angle and thedetection distance, the upper tray 45 is more advantageous than thelower tray 40.

However, the embodiment is different from the configuration illustratedin FIGS. 5A and 5B in that there is provided a posture detection sensor18 which detects a posture of the roller support member 11, and in thatthe control unit 52 of the printer 1 controls the light emitting unit 16a of the optical sensor 16 to be capable of adjusting light emittingintensity.

The posture detection sensor 18 is configured to include a rotary scale18 a which is disposed coaxially with the pivot shaft 12 and a detectionunit 18 b which reads out the rotary scale 18 a. A control unit (notillustrated) of the printer 1 can understand the posture of the rollersupport member 11 based on signal information transmitted from theposture detection sensor 18.

The roller support member 11 is configured so that an upward swingmovement thereof is restricted at a predetermined position (the postureof the roller support member 11 at this time is referred to as areference posture). The control unit 52 of the printer 1 can detect thereference posture based on a driving direction of the pivot shaft 12 andthe signal information transmitted from the posture detection sensor 18(information indicating that the swing movement of the roller supportmember 11 is stopped). Then, based on a swing amount obtained from thereference posture, the control unit 52 can understand the currentposture of the roller support member 11.

Then, the control unit 52 of the printer 1 which adjusts the lightemitting intensity of the optical sensor 16 adjusts the light emittingintensity according to the posture of the roller support member 11.Specifically, the control unit 52 adjusts the light emitting intensitywhen the optical sensor 16 opposes the lower tray 40 to be stronger thanthe light emitting intensity when the optical sensor 16 opposes theupper tray 45. In this manner, the detection angle α1 is farther fromthe right angle in the case of the lower tray 40. Even when thedetection distance D2 becomes longer, it is possible to ensure the lightreceiving intensity in the light receiving unit 16 b, and thus it ispossible to properly detect the presence or absence of the sheet P.

In addition, since the light emitting intensity becomes weaker in thecase of the upper tray 45, it is possible to suppress time-dependentdeterioration of the light emitting unit 16 a. Furthermore, depending onthe presence or absence of the lower tray 40 and the presence or absenceof the upper tray 45, the posture of the roller support member 11varies. Accordingly, it is also possible to detect the presence orabsence of each tray itself by using the variation. That is, it is alsopossible to further provide means for detecting whether each tray isattached or detached.

The light emitting intensity can be adjusted in two stages in the caseof the lower tray 40 and in the case of the upper tray 45.Alternatively, the light emitting intensity can be further adjusted inmulti-stages according to the posture of the roller support member 11.Alternatively, the light emitting intensity can also be adjusted withoutany stage according to the posture of the roller support member 11.

4. Third Embodiment of Roller Support Member Assy

Next, a third embodiment of the roller support member assy will bedescribed. In the third embodiment (roller support member assy 10C)illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the optical sensor 16 is attached to agear 19D serving as a rotating body. Then, the detection angle isdefined by the rotation of the gear 19D according to the posture of theroller support member 11.

More specifically, the gear 19D engages with a gear 19A via gears 19Cand 19B. The gear 19A is different from the other gears 19B to 19D, andis disposed to be fixed to the roller support member 11. That is, thegear 19A swings together with the roller support member 11. Then, aspeed reduction ratio of the gears 19A to 19D is set so that the opticalaxis L0 of the optical sensor 16 is always perpendicular to each tray,that is, so that the detection angles α1 and α2 are 90° regardless ofthe posture of the roller support member 11. In this manner, it ispossible to always properly detect the presence or absence of the sheetP in each tray.

The optical sensor 16 may be disposed in the gear 19B instead of thegear 19D. In addition, the gear 19D serving as the rotating body may bedisposed so as to be independently rotatable by using a drive source.The gear 19D may be configured to be rotated according to the posture ofthe roller support member 11 by controlling the drive source.

5. Fourth Embodiment of Roller Support Member Assy

Next, a fourth embodiment of the roller support member assy will bedescribed. In the fourth embodiment (roller support member assy 10D)illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, pulleys 20A and 20B and a belt 21 areused instead of the gears 19A to 19C in the above-described thirdembodiment.

The pulley 20A is disposed to be fixed to the roller support member 11.That is, the pulley 20A swings together with roller support member 11.The pulley 20B is disposed to be rotatable with respect to the rollersupport member 11. Then, the belt 21 is wound around the pulleys 20A and20B. The pulley 20B has a two-stage structure. That is, the pulley 20Bhas a gear portion which engages with the gear 19D in addition to awinding portion of the belt 21.

Similar to the above-described third embodiment, the speed reductionratio of the gear and the pulleys is set so that the detection angles α1and α2 are 90° regardless of the posture of the roller support member11. In this manner, it is possible to always properly detect thepresence or absence of the sheet P in each tray.

6. Fifth Embodiment of Roller Support Member Assy

Next, a fifth embodiment of the roller support member assy will bedescribed. In the fifth embodiment (roller support member assy 10E)illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the optical sensor 16 is attached to apendulum 22.

The pendulum 22 is disposed to be freely swingable about a swing shaft22 a. A self-weight thereof allows the pendulum 22 to maintain apredetermined posture regardless of the posture of the roller supportmember 11. In this manner, the detection angles α1 and α2 are 90°regardless of the posture of the roller support member 11. Therefore, itis possible to always properly detect the presence or absence of thesheet P in each tray.

The respective embodiments described above employs the optical sensor ofa non-contact type as a detection unit that detects the presence orabsence of the sheet. However, an optical sensor of a contact type whichcomes into contact with the sheet may be employed.

Wiring of FFC First Example

Subsequently, a first example in wiring a flexible flat cable (FFC)which electrically connects the roller support member assy 10 and acircuit board 39 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16.FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the roller support member assy10 and vicinity of an attachment portion thereof. FIG. 12 is aperspective view of the roller support member assy 10. FIG. 13 is aperspective view of the roller support member assy 10, the circuit board39 and the FFC 17. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bottom surface ofthe apparatus in a state where the upper tray 45 and the lower tray 40are detached from the apparatus. FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view ofFIG. 14. FIG. 16 illustrates a state where a partition plate 35 and theroller support member assy 10 are detached from the apparatus in FIG.15.

In FIGS. 11 to 16, a reference numeral 17 represents the flexible flatcable (hereinafter, referred to as the “FFC”) which connects the opticalsensor 16 and the circuit board 39. The circuit board 39 is hardwareconfiguring a control unit of the printer 1, and is disposed on one sideof the apparatus body 2, between a frame for supporting the carriage andan exterior of the apparatus body 2 (details are not illustrated).

In the roller support member 11, the optical sensor 16 is disposedcloser to the circuit board 39 than a gear train 14. Accordingly, it ispossible to wire the FFC 17 without bypassing the gear train 14. Thatis, it is possible to further shorten the length of the FFC 17.

The optical sensor 16 is disposed in the roller support member 11 whichis swingable. Therefore, it is necessary to wire the FFC 17 so thatexcessive tension or compression which is caused by the swing operationof the roller support member 11 is not applied to the FFC 17. Inaddition, when a user attaches or detaches the lower tray 40 and theupper tray 45, or when the user removes the sheet due to paper jamoccurring, it is necessary to wire the FFC 17 so that the user's fingeris not caught on the FFC 17.

From this viewpoint, the FFC 17 according to the embodiment is wired asfollows. The wiring of the FFC 17 will be described from the opticalsensor 16 side to the circuit board 39. The FFC 17 is extended from astraight portion 17 a inside the roller support member 11 to an upperside of the roller support member 11 via a U-shaped reversing portion 17b. The FFC 17 is wired so that a straight portion 17 c extends along anopposite side surface (lower side surface) to a sheet guide surface ofthe guide member 33.

In this manner, the FFC 17 forms the U-shaped reversing portion 17 b inthe region of the roller support member 11. Accordingly, even when theroller support member 11 swings, the excessive tension or compression isnot applied to the FFC 17, thereby enabling a stable swing operation.

Next, the FFC 17 is wired below the guide member 33 as illustrated inFIG. 16. A wiring region of the FFC 17 below the guide member 33 isshielded from an accommodation region of the upper tray 45 and the lowertray 40 by a partition plate 35 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.Moreover, the FFC 17 is arranged so as to be extended from the rollersupport member 11 to the upper side (lower side in FIGS. 14 and 15).Accordingly, even when a user attaches or detaches the upper tray 45 andthe lower tray 40, the user's finger does not come into contact with theFFC 17, and is not caught on the FFC 17.

The partition plate 35 is a plate member which vertically partitions aninternal space of the apparatus. More specifically, the partition plate35 partitions the internal space into an accommodation space for theupper tray 45 and the lower tray 40 and an upper space thereof(accommodation space for the discharge sheet receiving tray 8) (alsorefer to FIG. 2). A cutout portion 35 a is formed on the partition plate35, and the roller support member assy 10 is arranged inside the cutoutportion 35 a.

Then, after a straight portion 17 d extending to the circuit board 39passes through the lower side (upper side in FIG. 16) of the guidemember 33, the FFC 17 is not exposed to the sheet transport route and isconnected to the circuit board 39 so as not to interfere with the frame.Accordingly, even when a user puts one's finger into the sheet guidesurface inside the sheet transport route in order to remove the sheetjammed due to the paper jam occurring, the FFC 17 is wired so as toextend along the opposite side surface (lower side surface) to the sheetguide surface. Accordingly, the user's finger does not come into contactwith the FFC 17, and is not caught on the FFC 17.

Wiring of FFC Second Example

Subsequently, a second example in wiring a FFC will be described withreference to FIGS. 17 to 19. FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of aroller support member assy 10′ and vicinity of an attachment portionthereof. FIG. 18 is a perspective view from above, in which someconfigurations of the printer body are appropriately detached from theprinter body. FIG. 19 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 18. A referencenumeral 170 will be given to the FFC in the embodiment.

In the embodiment, unlike the above-described example, as illustrated inFIG. 17, the FFC 170 is extended from the straight portion 170 a insidethe roller support member 11 to the upper side of the roller supportmember 11 via a bent portion 170 b which is bent without U-shapedreversing. The FFC 170 is wired so that a straight portion 170 c reachesthe lower side of the guide member 33.

In this manner, the FFC 170 forms the bent portion 170 b in the regionof the roller support member 11. Accordingly, even when the rollersupport member 11 swings, the excessive tension or compression is notapplied to the FFC 170, thereby enabling a stable swing operation. Evenin the embodiment, the wiring region of the FFC 170 in the opposite sideto the sheet guide surface of the guide member 33 is shielded from theaccommodation region of the upper tray 45 and the lower tray 40 by apartition plate 35 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. Moreover, the FFC170 is arranged so as to be extended from the roller support member 11to the upper side. Accordingly, even when a user attaches or detachesthe upper tray 45 and the lower tray 40, the user's finger does not comeinto contact with the FFC 170, and is not caught on the FFC 170.

Next, the FFC 170 is extended from the lower side to the upper side ofthe guide member 33 (refer to FIGS. 18 and 19), forms the straightportion 170 c by changing a direction to a side of the apparatus, andreaches the circuit board 39. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a sheetswitch-back transport region for two-sided printing is formed in theupper side region of the guide member 33. However, a straight portion170 d of the FFC 170 passes through the opposite side surface to thesheet guide surface of a guide member 34 which forms the sheet transportroute together with the guide member 33. Then, the straight portion 170d of the FFC 170 is connected to the circuit board 39 without beingexposed to the sheet transport route.

Accordingly, even when a user put one's finger into the sheet transportroute in order to remove the sheet jammed due to the paper jamoccurring, the user's finger does not come into contact with the FFC170, and is not caught on the FFC 170. The straight portion 170 c of theFFC 170 is partially exposed to the sheet transport route (refer to FIG.19), but the exposed portion is in a state buried by multiple ribs 33 aformed so as to extend in the sheet transport direction in the upperside of the guide member 33 as illustrated in FIG. 19. Moreover, sincethe straight portion 170 c extends along the sheet transport direction,even when a user put one's finger into the sheet transport route, theuser's finger is not caught on the straight portion 170 c.

In the above-described embodiments, the optical sensor 16 is disposed inthe roller support member 11. However, without being limited thereto,the optical sensor 16 may be disposed in an interlocking member which isoperated by being interlocked with the roller support member 11. Forexample, the optical sensor 16 may be disposed in the other swing memberwhich swings in synchronization with the roller support member 11(feeding roller 9). An example thereof includes a dummy member that hassubstantially the same shape as that of the roller support member 11when the sheet transport route is viewed in a side view, that isdisposed at a position different from the arrangement position of theroller support member 11 in the sheet width direction, and that causes asheet posture (bent posture) during the sheet feeding to be uniform inthe sheet width direction.

In addition, in the embodiment, the optical sensor 16 may be disposed inthe guide member 33 (refer to FIG. 2) or the partition plate 35 (referto FIG. 2). FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an example wherethe optical sensor 16 is disposed in the partition plate 35. FIG. 22 isa perspective view illustrating an example where the optical sensor 16is disposed in the guide member 33.

In FIG. 21, the optical sensor 16 is disposed at the position of thepartition plate 35, in which the optical sensor 16 can oppose the uppertray 45 and the lower tray 40 (upper surface side of the partition plate35 in FIG. 21). Similarly, in FIG. 22, the optical sensor 16 is disposedat the position of the guide member 33, in which the optical sensor 16can oppose the upper tray 45 and the lower tray 40 (lower surface sideof the guide member 33 in FIG. 22).

In any one of the examples illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, as describedin the second embodiment, it is preferable to adjust the light emittingintensity of the light emitting unit 16 a of the optical sensor 16. Morespecifically, when detecting the presence or absence of the sheet P inthe lower tray 40, it is preferable to further strengthen the lightemitting intensity as compared to when detecting the presence or absenceof the sheet P in the upper tray 45.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, it is assumed that theoptical sensor 16 detects the presence or absence of the sheet P in thetray which performs the recording (which feeds the sheet), out of themultiple medium accommodation units, that is, between the lower tray 40and the upper tray 45. However, without being limited thereto, theoptical sensor 16 may detect the presence or absence of the sheet P inthe tray which does not feed the sheet P. That is, the invention ischaracterized in that one optical sensor 16 detects the presence orabsence of the sheet P in the multiple trays, in other words, in thatone optical sensor 16 is shared by the multiple trays. Therefore, it ispossible to appropriately set which tray is targeted to detect thepresence or absence of the sheet P, or when the detection is to beperformed. In addition, regardless of the recording operation or thesheet feeding operation, only detecting the presence or absence of thesheet P may be independently performed.

In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described wherethe invention is applied to the ink jet printer as an example of therecording apparatus which performs the recording on the recording sheetas an example of the medium. However, without being limited thereto, theinvention can be applied to a feeding device which feeds the medium. Forexample, in an image reading apparatus represented by a scanner, theinvention can also be applied to a feeding device which feeds a documentto a reading position (device, a so-called automatic document feeder(ADF)).

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-067588filed on Mar. 27, 2013, and No. 2013-223193 filed on Oct. 28, 2013, areexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recording apparatus comprising: a recordingunit that performs recording on a medium; multiple medium accommodationunits that accommodate the medium; and a medium detection unit thatdetects the presence or absence of the medium inside the mediumaccommodation units, wherein out of the multiple medium accommodationunits, the recording apparatus detects the presence or absence of themedium inside the medium accommodation unit which performs recording. 2.A recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that performsrecording on a medium; multiple medium accommodation units thataccommodate the medium; and a medium detection unit that detects thepresence or absence of the medium inside the medium accommodation units,wherein out of the multiple medium accommodation units, the recordingapparatus detects the presence or absence of the medium inside themedium accommodation unit which does not feed the medium.
 3. A recordingapparatus comprising: a recording unit that performs recording on amedium; multiple medium accommodation units that accommodate the medium;and a medium detection unit that detects the presence or absence of themedium inside the medium accommodation units, wherein out of themultiple medium accommodation units, at least two medium accommodationunits share the medium detection unit.
 4. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the medium detection unit is disposed in aregion where the multiple medium accommodation units are overlapped withone another.
 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe medium detection unit is disposed in a region where the multiplemedium accommodation units are overlapped with one another.
 6. Therecording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the medium detectionunit is disposed in a region where the multiple medium accommodationunits are overlapped with one another.
 7. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the multiple medium accommodation unitsare configured to include at least a lower medium accommodation unit andan upper medium accommodation unit which is positioned above the lowermedium accommodation unit, and the upper medium accommodation unit canperform a sliding operation with respect to the lower mediumaccommodation unit, wherein the medium detection unit is arranged abovethe lower medium accommodation unit and the upper medium accommodationunit, and wherein the sliding operation of the upper mediumaccommodation unit switches the medium accommodation units one toanother which opposes the medium detection unit.
 8. The recordingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the multiple mediumaccommodation units are configured to include at least a lower mediumaccommodation unit and an upper medium accommodation unit which ispositioned above the lower medium accommodation unit, and the uppermedium accommodation unit can perform a sliding operation with respectto the lower medium accommodation unit, wherein the medium detectionunit is arranged above the lower medium accommodation unit and the uppermedium accommodation unit, and wherein the sliding operation of theupper medium accommodation unit switches the medium accommodation unitsone to another which opposes the medium detection unit.
 9. The recordingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the multiple mediumaccommodation units are configured to include at least a lower mediumaccommodation unit and an upper medium accommodation unit which ispositioned above the lower medium accommodation unit, and the uppermedium accommodation unit can perform a sliding operation with respectto the lower medium accommodation unit, wherein the medium detectionunit is arranged above the lower medium accommodation unit and the uppermedium accommodation unit, and wherein the sliding operation of theupper medium accommodation unit switches the medium accommodation unitsone to another which opposes the medium detection unit.
 10. Therecording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the multiple mediumaccommodation units are configured to include at least a lower mediumaccommodation unit and an upper medium accommodation unit which ispositioned above the lower medium accommodation unit, and the uppermedium accommodation unit can perform a sliding operation with respectto the lower medium accommodation unit, wherein the medium detectionunit is arranged above the lower medium accommodation unit and the uppermedium accommodation unit, and wherein the sliding operation of theupper medium accommodation unit switches the medium accommodation unitsone to another which opposes the medium detection unit.
 11. Therecording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the medium detectionunit is disposed in a feeding member which can swing above the multiplemedium accommodation units.
 12. The recording apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the medium detection unit is configured to have anoptical sensor that includes a light emitting unit and a light receivingunit which oppose the medium accommodated in the medium accommodationunit, and wherein an angle α1 formed between an optical axis of lightemitted from the light emitting unit and the medium when the lightemitting unit opposes the medium accommodated in the lower mediumaccommodation unit is closer to a right angle than an angle α2 formedbetween the optical axis and the medium when the light emitting unitopposes the medium accommodated in the upper medium accommodation unit.13. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide memberis provided which forms a medium transport route for transporting themedium, and wherein the medium detection unit is disposed in the guidemember.
 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein aguide member is provided which forms a medium transport route fortransporting the medium, and wherein the medium detection unit isdisposed in the guide member.
 15. The recording apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein a guide member is provided which forms a mediumtransport route for transporting the medium, and wherein the mediumdetection unit is disposed in the guide member.
 16. The recordingapparatus according to claim 6, wherein a guide member is provided whichforms a medium transport route for transporting the medium, and whereinthe medium detection unit is disposed in the guide member.
 17. Therecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a partition memberwhich partitions an internal space of the recording apparatus isdisposed above an accommodation region for the multiple mediumaccommodation units, and wherein the medium detection unit is disposedin the partition member.
 18. The recording apparatus according to claim3, wherein a partition member which partitions an internal space of therecording apparatus is disposed above an accommodation region for themultiple medium accommodation units, and wherein the medium detectionunit is disposed in the partition member.
 19. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein a partition member which partitions aninternal space of the recording apparatus is disposed above anaccommodation region for the multiple medium accommodation units, andwherein the medium detection unit is disposed in the partition member.20. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a partitionmember which partitions an internal space of the recording apparatus isdisposed above an accommodation region for the multiple mediumaccommodation units, and wherein the medium detection unit is disposedin the partition member.